Bristol-Myers announces data from Phase IIb BMS-663068 trial Bristol-Myers Squibb Company announced data from a Phase IIb trial of investigational compound BMS-663068, designed as an HIV-1 attachment inhibitor, in treatment-experienced HIV-1 patients. In the study, which compared BMS-663068 to a pharmacoenhanced protease inhibitor, virologic response rates and immunologic reconstitution were similar across the BMS-663068 and Reyataz/ritonavir arms of the trial through 48 weeks. Specifically, 61-82% of BMS-663068 patients had HIV-1 RNA levels <50 c/mL, compared to 71% of Reyataz/ritonavir patients at week 48. HIV-1 RNA levels <50 c/mL typically indicate virus replication is undetectable. Treatment with BMS-663068 resulted in no dose response safety signals, no treatment discontinuations related to adverse events, and no treatment-related serious adverse events over the course of the trial. The most common AEs were headache and abdominal pain. Due to the positive results seen thus far, a Phase III clinical trial of the attachment inhibitor among heavily treatment-experienced patients began on Monday, February 23, 2015. For the purposes of the Phase III trial, heavily treatment-experienced patients are defined as individuals who can no longer formulate a viable regimen due to accumulation of drug resistance, past intolerabilities or antiretroviral contraindications. The Phase IIb study results, presented yesterday at the 22nd Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, highlight the novel mechanism of action of the investigational prodrug BMS-663068, which when converted into its active moiety BMS-626529, is designed to bind directly to the HIV gp120 protein, and prevents initial viral attachment to the host CD4+ T cell and entry into the host immune cell.

Jacobs Engineering awarded contract from Bristol-Myers Jacobs Engineering Group (JEC) announced that it received a contract from Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (BMY) to provide architectural and engineering services for a new large-scale biologics manufacturing facility in Cruiserath, County Dublin, Ireland. The facility is being designed to produce multiple therapies for the company’s robust and growing portfolio of approved and investigational biologic medicines, and to increase Bristol-Myers Squibb’s biologics manufacturing capacity. The new facility is expected to include multiple large scale bioreactors, a purification area, as well as office and laboratory space. Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Board of Directors has approved initial funding that will support the first phase of the project, with the full cost of the facility expected to be finalized in the second half of 2015. The facility is estimated to be operational in 2019.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals and Bristol-Myers announces R&D collaboration agreementRigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) and Bristol-Myers (BMY) announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of cancer immunotherapies based on Rigel's extensive portfolio of small molecule TGF beta receptor kinase inhibitors. TGF beta can promote tumor growth, broadly suppress the immune system and increase the ability of tumors to spread in the body. The collaboration will focus on developing a new class of therapeutics aimed at increasing the immune system's activity against various cancers either as monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including Bristol-Myers Squibb's Opdivo and Yervoy. Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will obtain exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize small molecule therapeutics derived from Rigel's TGF beta library, including, but not limited to, those approved to treat cancer. Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay $30M upfront and Rigel will be eligible to receive development and regulatory milestones that could total more than $309M for a successful compound approved in multiple indications. Rigel will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on the net sales of any products from the collaboration.

Bristol-Myers, Rigel enter R&D agreement for TGF beta receptor kinase inhibitorsRigel Pharmaceuticals (RIGL) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMY) announced that they have entered into a collaboration agreement for the discovery, development and commercialization of cancer immunotherapies based on Rigel’s extensive portfolio of small molecule TGF beta receptor kinase inhibitors. TGF beta can promote tumor growth, broadly suppress the immune system and increase the ability of tumors to spread in the body. The collaboration will focus on developing a new class of therapeutics aimed at increasing the immune system’s activity against various cancers either as monotherapy or in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors, including Bristol-Myers Squibb’s Opdivo, or nivolumab, and Yervoy, or ipilimumab. Under the terms of the agreement, Bristol-Myers Squibb will obtain exclusive, worldwide rights to develop and commercialize small molecule therapeutics derived from Rigel’s TGF beta library, including, but not limited to, those approved to treat cancer. Bristol-Myers Squibb will pay $30M upfront and Rigel will be eligible to receive development and regulatory milestones that could total more than $309M for a successful compound approved in multiple indications. Rigel will also be eligible to receive tiered royalties on the net sales of any products from the collaboration.

Pfizer announces FDA acceptance of NDA for RapamunePfizer announced that the FDA has accepted for priority review a supplemental New Drug Application for RAPAMUNE for the treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare, progressive lung disease in women of childbearing age that is often fatal. With the Priority Review designation for the sNDA, Pfizer anticipates a decision in June of 2015 based on the anticipated Prescription Drug User Fee Act action date. The sNDA is based on results from the Multicenter International Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Efficacy and Safety of Sirolimus Trial. The MILES Trial included 89 LAM patients with moderate lung impairment who were randomized to receive RAPAMUNE or placebo for 12 months, followed by a 12 month observation period. In the trial, those treated with RAPAMUNE for one year experienced stabilization of lung function as measured by forced expiratory volume in one second.

Tianyin JCM plans for FDA certification process Tianyin Pharmaceutical (TPI) updated on the business and development at its Jiangchuan Macrolide Facility, or JCM, active pharmaceutical ingredients operation. In addition to JCM's certification at India, along with other international clients located at Bangladesh, Philippines and Iran on import status, TPI plans for FDA certification process at its JCM facility in order to service international clients such as Pfizer's (PFE) and their subsidiaries in China, the company said. "This is expected to translate to further demand for JCM's macrolide API business in both the domestic and international markets," Tianyin stated.